Wednesday, April 19, 2017

THIS SEASON WAS ABOUT...(WINTER 2017)

The time has come and gone. April is upon us, and with that, the second quarter of 2017 has begun!

But I don't want to talk about the second quarter right now. I want to talk about the first.

At the beginning of the year, while I was planning out these first three months, I came up with the idea to write a post at the end of each quarter and call it, "THIS SEASON WAS ABOUT..."

A sort of list, a run-down of all the little things, all the projects, all the people, all the songs, all the photographs, all the weekly rituals, that made up the season. A kind of review, reflection, and pause.

So, what was this season about?

It was about....

Chasing my first sunrise.

Taking regular Barre Classes.

Swapping clothes.

Completing my first knit blanket.

Working up to my volunteer goals, making my volunteer hours.

Reading novels. Soaking up stories.

Selling UGGLY MUGG goodies at three different markets.

Refining the business. Examining the facts.

Sweating hard, and rising really early.

Creating a beautiful morning routine.

Writing letters, sending Sunday snail mail.

Practicing patience.

Getting back into the kitchen.

Practicing smiling, and saying "thank you" as soon as I open my eyes every morning.

Sending out regular Uggly Mugg Newsletters.

Pouring jar candles.

Discovering dot painting - Painting lots of Pebbles.

Letting go of expectations. Going at my own pace.

Visiting Montreal. Road tripping.

Exploring locally.

Co-working with friends.

Hard conversations.

Long night walks. Gage Park.

Growing closer to close friends.

Bursting with gratitude for my amazing pals.

Making my own set of morning cards. Making a breakfast-time tradition.

That's quite the list isn't it? But, if I'm sticking to the facts, that wasn't exactly what this time was about.... that list is more of what happened, what was done.... So if I'm getting really narrow, I would say that this season was about:

Laughing a lot.

Settling into not knowing

Letting go of old emotions.

Clearing out

Welcoming people in.

Trusting what feels right.

Staying the course - getting knocked off the horse - but staying the course.

Realizing how much there is to experience every.single.day

Finally getting how great practicing gratitude is. Making it more than just a list. Finally feeling deeply, deeply grateful.

What did I learn?

The value in pausing.

Reaching out.

Letting go of what I think "should be".

Being okay with my boundaries, and taking ownership of my time.

There is no peace in trying to make everyone approve.

Random conversations rock.

What do I want more of in the second quarter?

I want more solidly defined working hours. I want to have more yellow lines painted around the work day. I want to then be freed up -- both in time, and mental air space, to ENJOY friends, exploration, and hobbies, without thinking about the to-do list, or stressing about working a little more.

I want to set these boundaries around work, so I can prioritize my people, my vocation, and my hobbies (adventures).

Simplification.

I want to take daily action on my personal goals, and I want to set more self-imposed boundaries, (e.g. just one project at a time!) so I actually make forward progress, as opposed to sitting on a bunch of half-baked eggs.

I want to gather my people together more often. I want to be a more available to them. I want to know the ones I know really well - a little better. I want bonfires.